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Thursday, February 23, 2017

Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos privately argued against President Trump's reversal of an Obama-era Executive Order mandating schools allow transgender students to use the bathroom of their choice, reports say.

DeVos allegedly clashed with Attorney General Jeff Sessions, but backed down after talking with President Trump.

Transgender students who are truly struggling with gender identity issues must be protected, but laws are already on the books to deal with bullying and harrasment when it occurs.

The Obama order superceded the rights of local school districts, catering to a radical fringe of liberal activists. It also seemed to be more about politics than thoughtfully wondering what could be done to help transgender students have the best education possible...President Trump made the right call.

"A fight over a draft order that would rescind protections for transgender students in public schools has erupted inside the Trump administration, pitting Attorney General Jeff Sessions against the secretary of education, Betsy DeVos.

Ms. DeVos initially resisted signing off on the order and told President Trump that she was uncomfortable with it, according to three Republicans with direct knowledge of the internal discussions. The order would reverse the directives put in place last year by the Obama administration to allow transgender students to use the bathrooms of their choice.

Mr. Sessions, who strongly opposes expanding gay, lesbian and transgender rights, fought Ms. DeVos on the issue and pressed her to relent because he could not go forward without her consent. The order must come from the Justice and Education Departments.

Mr. Trump sided with his attorney general, these Republicans said. And Ms. DeVos, faced with the choice of resigning or defying the president, has agreed to go along. The Justice Department declined to comment on Wednesday.

Though an official order from the administration was expected to be released as early as Wednesday, the two secretaries were still disputing the final language.

According to a draft of the letter, which was obtained by The New York Times, the Trump administration cites ongoing litigation and confusion over the Obama directives as a reason for telling schools to no longer obey them...

The draft also contains language stating that schools must protect transgender students from bullying, a provision Ms. DeVos asked be included, one person with direct knowledge of the process said. “Schools must ensure that transgender students, like all students, are able to learn in a safe environment,” the letter says. Ms. DeVos, who has been quietly supportive of gay rights for years despite coming from a prominent conservative family that has supported anti-gay causes, was said to have voiced her concern about the high rates of suicide among transgender students."

Attorney General Jeff Sessions

__________________________________________________________________Brandon Hall is a lifelong political nerd from Grand Haven, and is the Managing Editor of West Michigan Politics.